BOSTON BLACKIE
Boston Blackie is a fictional character who has been on both sides of the law. As originally created by author Jack Boyle, he was a safecracker -- a hardened criminal who had served time in a California prison. Prowling the underworld as a detective in adaptations for films, radio, and television, the detective Boston Blackie was "an enemy to those who make him an enemy, friend to those who have no friend".
The Boston Blackie radio series, starring Chester Morris, began June 23, 1944, on NBC as a summer replacement for The Amos 'n' Andy Show. Sponsored by Rinso, the series continued until September 15 of that year. Unlike the concurrent films, Blackie had a steady romantic interest in the radio show -- Lesley Woods appeared as Blackie's girlfriend Mary Wesley. Harlow Wilcox was the show's announcer.
On April 11, 1945, Richard Kollmar took over the title role in a radio series syndicated by Frederic W. Ziv to Mutual and other network outlets. Over 200 episodes of this series were produced between 1944 and October 25, 1950. Other sponsors included Lifebuoy Soap, Champagne Velvet beer, and R&H beer. While investigating mysteries, Blackie invaribly encountered harebrained Police Inspector Farraday (Maurice Tarplin) and always solved the mystery to Farraday's amazement.
Initially, friction surfaced in the relationship between Blackie and Farraday, but as the series continued, Farraday recognized Blackie's talents and requested assistance. Blackie dated Mary Wesley (Jan Miner), and for the first half of the series, his best pal Shorty was always on hand. The humorless Farraday was on the receiving end of Blackie's bad puns and word play.NOTE: Updated with Version 3.2 Files on 26-May-2012.
NOTE: Updated with Version 3 Files on 18-Nov-2009.
From the Old Time Radio Researchers Group. See "Notes" Section below for more information on the OTRR.
Notes
OLD TIME RADIO RESEARCHERS GROUP
This is a production of the Old Time Radio Researchers (OTRR) Group located at Old Time Radio Researchers Website (www.otrr.org), Old Time Radio Researchers Facebook Group, and Old Time Radio Researchers Group.
It contains the most complete and accurate version of this series in the best sound possible at the time of creation. An updated version will be issued if more episodes or better sounding ones become available.
This is the Single Episodes Page. The Certified Set includes extras not found here. It is located at OTRR Certified Set. This Single Episodes page is provided in case you want to sample the shows. Note that in many cases, file names have been modified from the original OTRR names to conform to archive.org naming requirements.
If you are interested in preserving Old Time Radio (OTR), you may wish to join the Old Time Radio Researchers Group at Facebook and Groups.io.
Relax, listen, and enjoy!
OTRR Definitions:
OTRR Maintained Set -- This set contains all known episodes in the best available audio condition with the most accurate dates and titles known to be in general circulation and based on current research at the time of release. Replaces OTRR Certified Accurate and OTRR Certified Complete.
OTRR Non-Maintained Set -- A collection of shows that has not gone through the OTRR Maintenance process.
Pre-2019 OTRR Definitions:
OTRR Certified Accurate -- A series that was "Certified Accurate" indicated that all the episodes were properly identified and labeled based on current information but that the series did not contain all known extant episodes.
OTRR Certified Complete -- A series that was "Certified Complete" achieved the highest level of certification available under the OTRR Certified Standards. This certification level implied that all the files in the series were "Certified Accurate" and also indicated that the series was as complete as possible and included all circulating episodes.
OTRR Non-Certified -- A collection of shows that has not gone through the OTRR Certification process.
Also, beginning in 2019, the version numbers of our OTRR releases changed format -- instead of v1.0 or v2.1, we are now using a version number that reflects the year and month the set was released. The format used is a two-digit year followed by a two-digit month. For example, "v1906" indicates a set that was released in June 2019, or "v1910" indicates a set released in October 2019.
NOTE: There are no passwords for any of our ZIP files. If you are prompted for a password, before downloading the file again, try unzipping the file into a shorter full folder path name -- for example, unzip to "C:\" instead of "C:\Documents and Settings\your_Windows_ID\some_other_folder\". Sorry, some of our releases contain long folder and file names, which sometimes manifests itself on the Windows platform as prompting for a password for the ZIP file. Or try renaming the ZIP file itself to a shorter name before unzipping.
Reviews
Reviewer:
Den NC USA
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
February 15, 2021
Subject: Agreed, the organist is not so Shmoooth!
Subject: Agreed, the organist is not so Shmoooth!
I've enjoyed the comments, all positive but for (listed on some sites) organist Lew White. (We know he wrote the theme...) After a couple of Champagne Velvets... For all of youse who boo hoo Lew, tooo bad for yoouuu.
Barry Craig's hipster in the night sax opening is much more my style too. But hey, Blackie and Mary and Farraday take the action with style enough to let the rest of it not get on my nerves.
The organ's out of the past, but Boston Blackie's on the case, and the show's got wit and pace.
Now, let's get back to Blackie at the scene of the crime, inside the garage where Blackie's picked the lock (Farraday's wanting to learn him how it's done) and they've left the door open, and ....
So, folks, do I ding Lew and leave one star off?
I'll give it over for repartee twixt Mary and Blackie.
Barry Craig's hipster in the night sax opening is much more my style too. But hey, Blackie and Mary and Farraday take the action with style enough to let the rest of it not get on my nerves.
The organ's out of the past, but Boston Blackie's on the case, and the show's got wit and pace.
Now, let's get back to Blackie at the scene of the crime, inside the garage where Blackie's picked the lock (Farraday's wanting to learn him how it's done) and they've left the door open, and ....
So, folks, do I ding Lew and leave one star off?
I'll give it over for repartee twixt Mary and Blackie.
Reviewer:
Justine Dean
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
December 12, 2019
Subject: A memorable show
Subject: A memorable show
This show has one of the best ensemble cast, Dick Kollmar is funny, witty, smart and sharp. He adds a charm to the show I have heard Chester Morris version but Kollmar is better he keeps it light and refreshing. Maurice tarplin is brilliant as inspector Faraday his voice is so different from other radio shows .. His insults to blackie and blackie's reponse are a highlight.... Love them... Jan Miner is also good as Mary
I didn't mind the music but have a feeling it's given by same person who gave it in Philo Vance
I didn't mind the music but have a feeling it's given by same person who gave it in Philo Vance
Reviewer:
MPOEye
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
August 22, 2019
Subject: Great series, EXCEPT for . . .
Subject: Great series, EXCEPT for . . .
The most godawful organ music in the history of radio! It annoys the heck out of me!!!!!!!
Reviewer:
EloraIsVanity
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
January 14, 2018
Subject: As always
Subject: As always
Otrr has yet again supplied. I search in and out of all sorts of OTR databases for entertaining shows and episodes, but with this group I find the majority of episodes though o come across an occasional episode missing from their collections. Also it would be nice if they covered the Canadian shows. Vanishing Point, Midnight Cab, and Nightfall aren't in their database. I've just scrounged up the complete Midnight Cab collection and am readying it for upload.
Reviewer:
milep757
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
July 9, 2017
Subject: Boston Blackie
Subject: Boston Blackie
Yes Boston Blackie is some of my best shows to listen to as I travel to work and out and about I do recommend this to my friends to listen to
Reviewer:
albie
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
May 5, 2016
Subject: Boston Blackie - Single Episodes
Subject: Boston Blackie - Single Episodes
Sad but true,both Chester Morris and Richard Kollmar ended up committing suicide
Reviewer:
Satyaban
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favoritefavorite -
October 1, 2015
Subject: organ music
Subject: organ music
I can't stand that organ music, it is torture to listen too.
Reviewer:
vinmurph
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
May 3, 2015
Subject: Vin Murph
Subject: Vin Murph
Flashback time...I first heard these shows in the late 1940s' A kid huddled around the Philco radio...letting my imagination take me on these great adventures.. Thanks for the memories!
Reviewer:
taiterchip
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
January 29, 2015
Subject: Love Boston Blackie
Subject: Love Boston Blackie
Love this show!!
Reviewer:
RinoRino
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
September 8, 2014
Subject: Great show!
Subject: Great show!
This is my favorite radio show hands down. The exchanges between Blackie and Faraday are great and timeless. Thank you to Max Reiner for answering a question I had about an actor that is in a few of the episodes! He mentioned an actor named Ralph Bell. Ralph Bell has (in my opinion) the best gangster voice ever. Check out "Jerry Williams Fixed Court Case" to hear him at his finest. Bell voices Jerry Williams, a gardenia-loving gangster... a classic line he brings to radio when he's about to kill Blackie..."Ya know, I always sniff a gardenia before I kill a guy...". "The Abbott Painting" is another classic of Bell's...playing Henry Rice... a sort of art collector. Of course, Blackie's voice (as voiced by Dick Kollmar) is just wonderful also. The back and forth between Blackie and Faraday is one of the show's greatest attributes. Enjoy!
Note to Internet Archive: Episode 073 "Old Man Graham's Wife" should be corrected to "Old Man Graham's Will" as his wife never appears nor is mentioned. The episode is about his Will (or 2 Wills).
Note to Internet Archive: Episode 073 "Old Man Graham's Wife" should be corrected to "Old Man Graham's Will" as his wife never appears nor is mentioned. The episode is about his Will (or 2 Wills).
Reviewer:
katperrr
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
July 30, 2014
Subject: Boston Blackie
Subject: Boston Blackie
Have been listening to an episode or two every night, will be disappointed when I'm all through. Just learned that Champagne Velvet Beer Co is back in business!
Reviewer:
AMC Hornet
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July 11, 2014
Subject: Some Boston Blackie Pics:
Subject: Some Boston Blackie Pics:
Reviewer:
prewarbooksfallout
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
May 15, 2014
Subject: Why, Farraday, what an unpleasant surprise!
Subject: Why, Farraday, what an unpleasant surprise!
I started listening to this show after finishing another great show on here, "Box 13", and this one is just as good! I love the banter between Blackie & Inspector Farraday and how Blackie wiggles out of the hairiest predicaments! The writing is intelligent, the sound quality of these files is solid and I am certainly enjoying it! Thanks to all who helped preserve it! Rinso white, Rinso bright!
Reviewer:
Max Reiner
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
May 23, 2012
Subject: Some of Boston Blackie Radio Show Voice Actors
Subject: Some of Boston Blackie Radio Show Voice Actors
Here's a bit about BB that has always fascinated me about some of the voice actors. Although Chester Morris was the first Boston Blackie, I'm most familiar with Dick Kollmar. He was also a Broadway actor and "Dick" of WOR, New York's "Dorothy and Dick" radio show. Dorothy was newspaper columnist & "What's My Line" TV panelist Dorothy Kilgallen. Faraday was Maurice Tarplin, aka "The Mysterious Traveler."
Other voices I recognize were Jackson Beck, who played a movie director in one episode I recall. He was Superman's announcer among many voice roles. He was Bluto in the Popeye cartoons. And I recognized Ralph Bell, who was in many radio shows and in a TV soap opera. I heard Frank Lovejoy in a BB episode today.
Whew enough for now. Anyone else for voice actor trivia? :) One of my favorite hobbies.
Other voices I recognize were Jackson Beck, who played a movie director in one episode I recall. He was Superman's announcer among many voice roles. He was Bluto in the Popeye cartoons. And I recognized Ralph Bell, who was in many radio shows and in a TV soap opera. I heard Frank Lovejoy in a BB episode today.
Whew enough for now. Anyone else for voice actor trivia? :) One of my favorite hobbies.
Reviewer:
yuma
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
January 21, 2011
Subject: A MUST HEAR
Subject: A MUST HEAR
Give Boston Black a hear. I beleave this show should be in the top ten on the old time radio list. Its fresh, the acting is great, and the sound is clear. An if you like this type of show you will love it.
Reviewer:
OTRRArchive
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
November 19, 2009
Subject: Updated Files
Subject: Updated Files
18-Nov-2009: Corrected the Larry the Kid vs Savinni episode, plus some minor corrections on about a dozen other episodes.
Reviewer:
LeGrande
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
June 1, 2009
Subject: One of the more entertaining detective series
Subject: One of the more entertaining detective series
The well-written back-and-forth bickering between Blackie and Inspector Farriday helps propel this series beyond more mundane "solve the crime" shows. Blackie also has to solve his cases without the help (and often with direct opposition) from the police, which adds a nice twist. And rather than Mary just being a female friend, she's really Blackie's girl, which makes things just a tad more believable. It's a very listenable show, even after repeated listenings.
Reviewer:
catfreak
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
January 11, 2008
Subject: Boston Blackie mistake
Subject: Boston Blackie mistake
The episode titled Larry The Kid vs Savinni is incorrect. The episode is, in fact, Eva Cronin Is Stalked.
Otherwise, this is a fine set that sounds great!
A "must have"
Otherwise, this is a fine set that sounds great!
A "must have"
